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Many of you (hopefully most of you!) are now making your reservations to attend the 2002 ARLIS/NA-VRA joint conference in St. Louis, and we would like to take a moment to brag about one of the best features of our conference-the conference hotel! The Hyatt Regency Union Station is the crown jewel of St. Louis hotels, located in the heart of our cultural, business, and tourist districts. Situated in historic Union Station, architect Theodore Link's 1894 Romanesque Revival train terminal, the Hyatt Union Station now occupies its former Grand Hall and limestone "Headhouse," where travelers from days gone by lined up for tickets and waited for their trains. An exceptional 1985 renovation restored these spaces to their former glory, and now they wait to take you back to St. Louis past, while providing you with many modern amenities.
Spend time in the Hyatt's piece-de-resistance, the Grand Hall lobby, which features a 65 foot barrel vaulted ceiling decorated with gold leaf, romanesque arches, and stained glass windows. Have a beverage in the Gothic Corridor with its Tudor traceried ceiling and look out the windows toward Carl Milles' Art Deco "Meeting of the Waters" fountain. Or simply relax in one of the plush, recently renovated rooms that have been set aside for this conference. Handsomely decorated (very!), all rooms have irons and ironing boards, desks, hairdryers, super-comfy beds, great complimentary toiletries in the bathroom, radio alarm clocks, and a 27" color t.v. with movie channels. For those of you who REALLY love television, a miniature version can also be found in your bathroom. Every room has three dual-line telephones, as well as a data port for hooking up a laptop. Please note that an internet room will not be provided at this conference, but in addition to in-room data you may take advantage of an internet kiosk within Union Station. All of the rooms are wonderful, but for really fancy living choose a Regency Club upgrade and enjoy access to a private elevator (original to the hotel), newspaper delivery, terry cloth robes, complimentary continental breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres in the Regency Club lounge. The hotel also has several ADA rooms and additional facilities for the disabled, so please check the hotel's website, http://www.stlouis.hyatt.com for more information.
Enjoy good eats? Chances are this is a superfluous question, but asking it will allow us to launch into a description of the possibilities to be found within a few feet of your room. The Hyatt is home to the Triple A three diamond Station Grille, a fine-dining establishment open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Or enjoy a light meal in Aldo's pizzeria or pick up a snack at Aldo's Grocery Store. Want to wind down? Sip an aperitif in the Grand Hall Lounge and chow down on the nifty complimentary mixed nuts. If you want to venture out into Union Station, you will have your choice of many dining options, ranging from relaxed to ethnic to downright zany. Need a cup of coffee? Starbucks is just a few short feet away from your room. Feeling adventurous? There are dozens of fabulous restaurants downtown or a short Metrolink ride away. Please feel free to e-mail us for suggestions on where to make reservations ahead of time, or consult our local guide at the conference hospitality and information desk, which will be staffed by St. Louis "experts." The Hyatt Union Station is also well-known for its excellent concierge services, and they will be more than happy to make suggestions on "things-to-do and places-to-go."
After all of this eating, a trip to the Hyatt's Cardio Fitness Center may be in order! This club is free to hotel guests, open with keycard access 24 hours a day, and may be just the antidote to days spent in meetings, events, and absorbing our exciting conference program.
To learn more about our conference hotel, or simply take a look at the accomodations, visit the hotel website at http://www.stlouis.hyatt.com. The virtual tour of the hotel and surrounding area is highly recommended, and will encourage you to rush rush rush to make those reservations!
As always, we look forward to seeing all of you in a few short weeks. Let the conference countdown begin!
Marianne Cavanaugh and Betha Whitlow
ARLIS/NA-VRA 2002 Conference local arrangements co-chairs